WASHINGTON -- Congressional candidates raised a total of $790.5
million and spent $765.3 million in the 1995-96 election cycle,
representing increases of 7% in receipts and 5% in expenditures
from the record-breaking 1993-94 election cycle, and 20% and 12%
over the previous Presidential cycle of 1991-92.

The analysis of 2,605 candidates by the Federal Election Commission
covers Congressional campaigns' financial activity from January
1, 1995, through December 31, 1996. In the 1993-94 election cycle
2,376 candidates for House and Senate seats raised $740.5 million
and spent $725.2 million, which was a 12% increase in receipts
and 6%increase in spending over 1991-92.

Campaigns for House seats accounted for the increases in monies
raised and spent, with 2,289 candidates raising $505.4 million
and spending $477.8 million. This was a 20% increase in receipts
and an 18% increase in spending over 1993-94 House levels. Republican
candidates, numbering 853, raised $266.9 million and spent $251.4
million, a 32% increase in financial activity over 1993-94. This
increase partially stems from the increased number of Republican
incumbents seeking reelection. At the same time, 827 Democrats
registered an increase of 8% in receipts, to $233.1 million, and
a 4% increase in spending, to $221.2 million, despite fewer incumbent
members running (172 in '96 vs. 232 in '94). The 609 candidates
representing other parties raised $5.4 million and spent $5.3
million.

Senate candidates raised $285.2 million and spent $287.5 million
in 1995-96, down from $319 million raised and spent in 1993-94.

The following chart summarizes activity of winning campaigns
(special elections not included):

Contributions from individuals in the 1995-96 elections were
up 10% over 1993-94, hitting $444 million. They represented 56%
of total receipts by all Congressional candidates: 59% in Senate
races and 55% in House contests. Contributions from individuals
of less than $200 each have historically totalled more than those
in other categories listed on page 16. For the first time, in
1995-96, this category was rivaled by contributions in amounts
of over $749 each, with both categories totalling $158.5 million.

Candidate loans and contributions to their own campaigns totalled
$106.6 million. This amount is down 13% from the $122.6 million
reported in 1993-94. Senate candidates used $56.7 million of
their own funds, while House races were fueled by $49.8 million
in candidate funds.

PAC contributions to all federal candidates last cycle reached
$201.4 million, up 12% from 1993-94's $179.5 million. PACs directed
$106.7 million to Republicans, $93.9 million to Democrats, and
$781,837 to candidates from other parties. Contributions to incumbents
far outpaced monies given to other types of candidates. Incumbents
received $133.3 million, while challengers received $28.3 million
and open-seat races, $39.8 million. PACs contributed more substantially
to House races, where PAC receipts of $155.8 million represented
31% of receipts compared to Senate races, where $45.6 million
in PAC money accounted for only 16% of monies raised.

The chart below provides amounts (in millions of dollars) and
percentages of PAC contributions in Congresssional campaigns for
the past four election cycles: